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CHAMPIONS RODE THEIR WAY TO THE TOP DURING RODEOHOUSTON® SUPER SERIES I

MARCH 9, 2017 — HOUSTON — It was a wild night in NRG Stadium as cowboys and cowgirls battled it out during the RODEOHOUSTON Super Series I Championship. The athletes competed for the top four spots in each event to advance to the Semifinals on March 22 and 23.

TIE-DOWN ROPING

Caleb Smidt of Bellville, Texas, snagged the title of the RODEOHOUSTON Super Series I Tie-Down Roping Champion. Smidt said he is working hard to prepare himself for the Semifinal Round.

“I’m feeling great,” Smidt said. “I’m going to practice at my house and continue to work hard, stay healthy and most importantly stay prepared.”

Advancing to a Semifinal Round:

Caleb Smidt: Bellville, Texas — $7,000

Tuf Cooper: Decatur, Texas — $ 3,750

Stran Smith: Childress, Texas — $2,750

Marcos Costa: Childress, Texas — $2,750

BAREBACK RIDING

Mason Clements took home the Super Series I Bareback Riding Champion title. Clements expressed his gratitude and said he was going to continue to compete and stay hungry for the next round.

“I’m very happy with the results,” Clements said. “Without a good horse under me, I wouldn’t be able to do what I can do. I’m very thankful. ”

Advancing to Semifinal Round:

Mason Clements: Santaquin, Utah — $6,000

Richie Champion: The Woodlands, Texas — $ 5,083

Bobby Mote: Stephenville, Texas — $3,833

Blake Smith: Zap, North Dakota — $3,000

TEAM ROPING Ryan Reed and Dugan Kelly are the Super Series I Team Roping Champions. Reed and Kelly performed well together in the moments when it counted the most.

“Everything about it is great,” Kelly said. “It makes you feel like a professional athlete when you ride in this arena.”

Reed showed enthusiasm after their win and said this was something he had been looking forward to for a long time.

“It’s my first time here,” Reed said. “It has been my dream since a little kid to rope here.”

Layton Green took home the win at RODEOHOUSTON Super Series I in the Saddle Bronc Riding event. Green said that although he resides in Houston, this particular one is still his favorite to compete in.

“It’s a fun rodeo,” Green said. “You don’t have to travel a lot and you can stay in one spot and hang with your friends.”

Advancing to Semifinal Round:

Layton Green: Meeting Creek, Alberta, Canada — $6,000

Coburn Bradshaw: Milford, Utah — $5,750

Hardy Braden: Welch, Oklahoma— $3,000

Jake Watson: Hudson’s Hope, British Columbia, Canada — $2,000

STEER WRESTLING

KC Jones of Decatur, Texas, won the Super Series I Steer Wrestling Championship. Jones was excited about his win because he said RODEOHOUSTON is his favorite rodeo to attend, and to do well here means a lot.

“This is special because it’s the first time riding that mare,” Jones said. “I’m really proud of her, so to come to one of the biggest rodeos in the world and have good results means a lot.”

Advancing to Semifinal Round:

KC Jones: Decatur, Texas — $4,000

Casey Martin: Sulfur, Louisiana — $3,750

Cody Cassidy: Donalda, Alberta, Canada — $3,000

Gary Gilbert: Boyd, Texas, — $2,750

BARREL RACING

It was a close race between Colorado native Sammi Bessert and Kathy Grimes, of Medical Lake, Washington, but it was Bessert who was named the Super Series I Barrel Racing Champion.

“I love running my horse here,” Bessert said. “They treat us so good here and they do such a great job.”

Advancing to Semifinal Round:

Sammi Bessert: Grand Junction, Colorado — $6,000

Kathy Grimes: Medical Lake, Washington — $6,000

Taylor Langdon: Aubrey, Texas — $4,000

Kelli Collier: Hereford, Texas — $2,500

BULL RIDING

Garrett Smith from Rexburg, Idaho, was named the Super Series I Bull Riding Champion. Smith was proud of his win and said there is nothing he loves more than performing in the rodeo.

“This place is amazing,” Smith said. “There’s not a better rodeo. It’s what we love. It’s what we’re trained to do and I guess we are just stuck with it.”

Advancing to Semifinal Round:

Garrett Smith: Rexburg, Idaho — $3,000

Clayton Savage: Yoder, Wyoming — $3,000

Aaron Pass: Kaufman, Texas — $2,500

Cain Smith: Adams, Oregon — $2,500

The top four from each event, from each Super Series will advance to a Semifinal Round. The top four from each event in the Semifinal rounds will advance to the RODEOHOUSTON Super Series Championship, Saturday, March 25. The remaining six from each event in the two semifinals will compete in the Wild Card Round, Friday, March 24, where the top two from each event will advance to the Championship. Each event champion will walk away with a $50,000 payout, in addition to previous winnings. The RODEOHOUSTON Super Series continues through March 25, with the RODEOHOUSTON Super Shootout: North America’s Champions® presented by Crown Royal, on Sunday, March 26.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a Section 501(c)(3) charity that benefits youth, supports education, and facilitates better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentation. Since its beginning in 1932, the Show has committed more than $430 million to the youth of Texas. For more information, visit rodeohouston.com and connect with #RODEOHOUSTON online via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for all of the latest news. The 2017 Show runs March 7 – 26.